The 2020 Census Ignores Americans' Gender Identities. Here's Why It Matters.
In less than a year, millions of Americans will participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. But if you’re one of thousands of non-binary persons or self-identified gay persons in the U.S., you’ll find that the questionnaire isn’t well suited to getting genuine information about you. Instead, you’ll find glaring holes which erase you completely: the same old fashioned binary sex and gender identity questions requiring “male” or “female” identification, and no tracking of single LGBT persons or of those not living in the same household as their partners .
So what? You might think that tracking this type of information doesn’t really matter - but it does! In this article, we’ll break down why the U.S. Census matters, how the data is used, and how the erasure of non-binary and self-identified gay persons from Census data puts our communities at risk.
What is Census Data Used For? The $880 Billion Question
Census data determine how more than $880 billion dollars is spent supporting your state, county and community’s vital programs. It’s used to determine what communities need, such as increased access to or funding for community health services, affordable housing options, new roads, hospitals, and school funding. It’s even used to redistrict areas which have become over-populated and to determine how much representation a region gets in Congress, the Senate, and the Electoral College (which selects our presidents!). Most federally supported grants and funds are made accessible to communities based on the breakdown of their population’s age, sex, race, and economic status.
Outside of the federal government, Census data is used locally to determine real estate development, business districting, factory growth, police enforcement needs, and more. It’s also a pool of data that can be accessed by advocates to be used within community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy. Census data is even used to determine where emergency responders should relocate persons after a natural disaster.
Because the Census only happens every 10 years, the data gathered during the 2020 Census will determine funding and resources all the way through 2030.
We, the Invisible People
Without representation and the ability to report ourselves on the U.S. Census, non-binary and gay persons are at risk of not receiving grants, funding, or other forms of support which could improve our safety, health, resources, and quality-of-life.
And, how’s this for weird: because the Census doesn’t track non-binary and LGBTQI persons, we still have no idea how many enby and LGBTQI persons exist in the United States. That’s just crazy! How can we not even have a true estimate of these populations’ sizes, so many years after theorizing, estimating, and even social recognition? Why is it that self-identifying LGBTQ persons who don’t live with their partner aren’t counted as part of the “same-sex” category? Since when did you have to live with someone to be truly “gay”?
Can I Skip The Census, or Atleast the Gender Questions?
There are many enby and gay persons who do see the value in participating in the Census, and it is required that all people living in the U.S. participate in the Census. Unfortunately, enbys and single gays are unable to answer the questionnaire accurately and truthfully due to the binary nature of the questions - which, by the way, could get you fined anywhere from $100 to $500. That means every non-binary person, any intersex person who is not male or female, and any single LGBTQ person or LGBTQ person not living in a household with their partner could be fined. This is ridiculous, considering the amount of non-binary persons who have legal documentation, such as birth certificates and IDs, which clearly list their gender as an X rather than male or female.
It is worth noting that the penalties listed above have rarely been enforced in the past. However, returning a partially filled-out questionnaire may result in a follow-up phone call or visit from a census worker (I, for one, do not wish to awkwardly explain my gender identity to a federal agent who won’t be able to fill in the information given the binary options - but I totally will, if making a big deal about it could bring about some systematic changes).
We’re A Long Way from Being Visible
Sadly, even the addition of asking cohabiting persons if they are in opposite-sex or same-sex relationships is a new addition to the Census. We’re a long way from having tangible data about how many non-binary persons live in the U.S. and what their community needs are - same for transgender persons, and single/non-household-sharing LGBTQ persons.
Will the 2030 Census be any better? I think so. But for now, hold your nose and jump bravely into your incomplete Census data by not marking the male or female gender options with the hopes that it will raise awareness of non-binary individuals and our lack of visibility at the federal level.